Page 52 of The Cursed Chalice

I tiptoe past Nisa’s room and past some other rooms. The only light I have is the moonlight beaming through the windows. At night, the house feels even huger than during the day.

I hear a sound coming from Ares’s office. He must be blasting it because it’s far away. I stop and look back. Is he listening to Katseye? I scoff as I shuffle through the dining room, pushing open the door to the kitchen. I flick on the switch, and the room comes alive.

“Do I want to eat? Wait, maybe I should ask Ares what I should eat since he wants to control my life.” I open the fridge, bending down to take out the chicken salad. Maybe I will have it after all.

I close the fridge and scream, dropping the chicken salad on the floor.

Ares is leaning against the kitchen island with his arms folded, like he is waiting for me to see him.

“Shit, Ares,” I press my hand to my chest. “You find joy in sneaking up on people?”

I bend to grab the chicken salad .

Ares shrugs. “I enjoy watching you panic. You get all flustered.”

I slam the chicken salad down on the table. “Do you also enjoy controlling me?”

Ares sighs and bites his lip. “How do I control you, Little Flame?”

“My phone has blocked numbers that I didn’t block myself.” I can feel my rage igniting.

“That’s protection, not control.”

My jaw drops. “No, you tampered with the phone?—”

“I didn’t; Phobos did.”

“Under your command,” I add.

He smirks. “True. But it’s for your protection.”

I shake my head. “No, I have been here before. This is not protection; you are doing this to own me. To cage me. You get to decide who I can talk to.”

“Yes, I can and I did.” He shrugs like it wasn’t a big deal, and I can feel my temper rising.

“No, you can’t. I am not a slave or a spouse. One and the same, if you ask me, and I am neither.”

“That can be changed too.”

“You are not taking me seriously, Ares, and it’s pissing me off.”

He rubs his face with the back of his fingers. “You live under my roof. I control and protect whoever lives under my roof.”

I open the chicken salad. “Well, maybe it’s time for me to get a new roof.”

“What did you say, Little Flame?” He grits his words through his teeth.

I raise my eyebrows and smile. “I can get my own roof.”

He pushes away from the counter and stands in front of me. “You don’t understand. My world is a dangerous one. There are threats on every corner. Let’s not forget your psycho fiancé. You are in danger, and instead of thanking me, you are fussing about control.”

“Fussing? You disrespectful man.” I want to hit him where it hurts. “I’d rather run into danger than be stuffed in a cage by you.”

His eyes darken. “Careful, Little Flame. Your mouth is spitting fire. I will put it out.”

The air around us crackles.Don’t dare him, Soraya. Back down.

“Do it, then. But you will never be the master of me.”